Favorite Powder for pistol?

What is your favorite powder to use 9mm and 45acp cast bullets? Specifically, 125gr RN for 9mm and 230gr RN for 45acp.

I've used Unique many times in the past and was a very good powder for lead cast bullets. I am also considering WSF because it's a lot cleaner.

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hueyville

February 8, 2013, 10:33 PM

Unique by the keg.

chris in va

February 8, 2013, 10:34 PM

Universal.

zxcvbob

February 8, 2013, 10:35 PM

Bullseye. But Unique and WSF are good choices too. And maybe AA#5?

jfrey

February 8, 2013, 10:35 PM

Used to use Unique but now it is WSF in all my loads. Meters a lot better and more consistent.

VINTAGE-SLOTCARS

February 8, 2013, 10:38 PM

Hands down Unique.

ArchAngelCD

February 8, 2013, 10:39 PM

W231 (HP-38) hands down. It's the only handgun powder I buy in bulk. I have 2X full 4lb jugs and most of a third on hand. If I had to I could load everything I shoot with it. (but I do also use HS-6 and W296)

AABEN

February 8, 2013, 10:48 PM

I like Win 231 and ACC #5

Lj1941

February 8, 2013, 10:53 PM

You can't go wrong with Unique but I also like Clays,Tightgroup and 231.

beeenbag

February 8, 2013, 10:59 PM

I use unique 10 times more than any other powder in pistols.

J_McLeod

February 8, 2013, 11:05 PM

231

jjjitters

February 8, 2013, 11:07 PM

AA#5,WSF,SR7625 or N340

savanahsdad

February 8, 2013, 11:08 PM

used to be Unique and Bulls Eye , but leaning AutoComp

FROGO207

February 9, 2013, 12:32 AM

Blue Dot --231/HP38--Bullseye. Depending on what I have the most of at the time.:D Now 700X for 45 ACP.:cool:

Kachok

February 9, 2013, 01:06 AM

Longshot for my heavier bullets (you have to load them stout) and Bluedot for my mid weight stuff.

kerreckt

February 9, 2013, 01:45 AM

Titegroup=small charge weight,accurate and clean

J.R.W.

February 9, 2013, 03:30 AM

AA#5

joneb

February 9, 2013, 03:52 AM

I do like Bullseye for 45acp and 9x18 Mak. but for you assuming 9x19 I think W-231/HP-38 would serve you well for both.

Reefinmike

February 9, 2013, 03:54 AM

everyone will say bullseye/unique/231/hp38/universal

as for me, the one i chose was hp38/231

GLOOB

February 9, 2013, 04:12 AM

Mark me up for Unique, too. In those two calibers, in particular, I don't need anything else. There's nothing really super special about it, compared to the other popular powders. I guess I might like it cuz it's pretty cheap and pretty bulky and the half kegs are a convenient size for my needs.

One thing, if you load on a progressive, a full charge of Unique for a 115 gr jacketed 9mm is going to be so high it might spill.

ColtPythonElite

February 9, 2013, 04:59 AM

Unique for nearly everything. However, I do like Power Pistol in some jacketed loads.

Uncle Richard

February 9, 2013, 07:35 AM

Sorry guys, I meant to be more specific and wanted suggestions for LEAD CAST BULLETS for 9mm (115gr RN) and 45acp (230gr RN).

I will probably use UNIQUE, but wanted something a little cleaner to offset the dirtiness of the lead. Considering WSF or 231.

FROGO207

February 9, 2013, 11:16 AM

Still, the ones I use with lead bullets in 9mm and 45 ACP are Blue Dot and 700-X. More 700-X as of late because I think it might burn a bit cleaner.

Captaingyro

February 9, 2013, 01:06 PM

I like Universal and HP38/231.

I tried TiteGroup with cast bullets, but it seems to burn pretty hot, and I got quite a bit of smoke (I believe from burning lube) using it. It seems good for jacketed and plated bullets though.

HighExpert

February 9, 2013, 06:30 PM

Bullseye. It will shoot clean if loaded properly with a good crimp and it the most economical of all of the powders mentioned. It will not give good results in magnum loads but for .45 and 9mm it works great. I have 5 8lb kegs on hand. Good for lots of bullets.

JO JO

February 9, 2013, 07:13 PM

9mm & 40 s&w HS-6 has done very well for me not sure about 45

rodinal220

February 9, 2013, 07:24 PM

Win231/HP-38

Hondo 60

February 9, 2013, 08:59 PM

Unique, Universal, Accurate #5, Tite Group
Any of em should work well in 9mm & 45acp

jk2008

February 9, 2013, 11:05 PM

For 45 ACP with 230 FMJ RN, I've used either W231 or HP-38 without trouble.

ArchAngelCD

February 9, 2013, 11:13 PM

Sorry guys, I meant to be more specific and wanted suggestions for LEAD CAST BULLETS for 9mm (115gr RN) and 45acp (230gr RN).

I will probably use UNIQUE, but wanted something a little cleaner to offset the dirtiness of the lead. Considering WSF or 231.
Yup, W231/HP-38 is what you're looking for. It works very well in both the 9mm and 45 Auto especially with lead bullets.

Uncle Richard

February 9, 2013, 11:27 PM

thanks everyone...

Kevin Rohrer

February 10, 2013, 03:36 AM

Unique for just about everything except .44mag, for which I use H110.

I always use a bulky powder so there is no possibility of double-charges.

But I should take a look at Universal, Power Pistol, and AA#5.

rugerman

February 10, 2013, 05:31 PM

Unique or bullseye for most, h110 for the magnums.

Pilot

February 10, 2013, 06:11 PM

I use Clays for .45 ACP, and W231/HP-38 for 9MM, but have been using Titegroup also.

dirtengineer

February 10, 2013, 06:14 PM

231, although I have been flirting with Power Pistol lately, albeit for jacketed boolits.

Nevmavrick

February 11, 2013, 12:48 AM

I shoot a lot of lead in Steel Challenge. I use a .40 with a high-cap mag, and still use my M1911, also.
I buy Green Dot, because I could use it in a shotgun for Trap, so I can buy it in 12# containers. I also have several 12ers of 700X....That adds up to quite a bit of ammo!
Have fun,
Gene

James2

February 11, 2013, 01:35 AM

I have used more Unique than anything else for handguns. Titegroup, 231 and 2400 are some others that I have used with good results.

2400 only in the 44 mag.

floydster

February 11, 2013, 02:14 AM

Bullseye and Unique, my most two favorite powders.
But, starting to use more TrailBoss in my revolvers:)

Smokeyloads

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